Experimental results from a tandem BWO-TWT system used to generate high-power microwaves

Author

Barreto, Gilberto ; Wharton, Charles B.

Author_Institution

Lab. of Plasma Studies, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY, USA

Volume

20

Issue

5

fYear

1992

fDate

10/1/1992 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

493

Lastpage

498

Abstract

A relativistic backward wave oscillator (BWO) in tandem with a traveling wave tube (TWT) amplifier has been used to generate relatively long pulses of high-power X-band microwaves. In these experiments, a BWO is used to modulate the annular relativistic electron beam, which subsequently drives a TWT producing high-power microwave radiation. A special RF sever located between the two structures cuts off microwaves generated in the BWO from the TWT. Peak powers in excess of 100 MW are observed with overall beam-to-microwave efficiencies as high as 35%. By operating the BWO below saturation levels, pulse-shortening effects are minimized so that microwave pulses of duration comparable to that of the beam (100 ns) are possible. The operating frequency of the tandem system is tuned from 11 to 12 GHz by varying the effective energy of the beam

Keywords

backward wave tubes; microwave generation; relativistic electron beam tubes; 100 MW; 100 ns; 11 to 12 GHz; 35 percent; RF sever; SHF; X-band; annular relativistic electron beam; high-power microwaves; relativistic backward wave oscillator; traveling wave tube; Electron beams; High power amplifiers; High power microwave generation; Microwave amplifiers; Microwave generation; Microwave oscillators; Optical modulation; Pulse amplifiers; Pulse generation; Radiofrequency amplifiers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/27.163586

Filename

163586